Admin
29 Apr, 1998
Racial polarisation and political intolerance at an all time high
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The racial polarisation and political intolerance demonstrated during the past few weeks are of grave concern to the UDM. Not only was it demonstrated in the irresponsible remarks of Peter Mokaba but also in the Vryburg incident, the death of baby Angelina and the racial emotions surrounding murders. It seems no longer important that a life has been taken, but rather what race that victim came from. Racial polarisation is the symptom, the cause lies much deeper. Political parties UDM in its comments before the opening of parliament warned that in this, the pre-election year, political parties would have to guard against electioneering instead of concentrating on the very important issues at hand. Electioneering, racial polarisation and political intolerance is now already.
Admin
29 Apr, 1998
Appointment of Nyanda welcomed
Statement issued by the Co-leaders of the UDM The UDM congratulates Lt. Gen. Nyanda with his appointment as chief of the South African National Defense Force. The UDM believes that his appointment will enhance the completion of the transformation process in the SANDF. We call on Lt. Gen. Nyanda to build a united military core, able to fulfill its changed role and ready to serve the people of South Africa.
Admin
28 Apr, 1998
UDM North West elects their leadership at first congress
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The first democratically elected provincial chairperson of the UDM issued a serious challenge to the ANC in the Province. Mr. Leonard Brown, UDM chairperson in the North West Province during his acceptance speech said that the people of the North West have had enough of the mismanagement and incompetence of the ANC led government. The UDM in preparation for the 1999 elections in this province will aim at launching at least one branch in every local government structure in the province. Mr. Brown was elected at The First Provincial Congress of the UDM in the North West Province. The rest of the executive committee is: Deputy chair: Mr. Sam Mafoko Secretary: Mr. J de Wit Deputy Secretary: Mrs. Mdjaje Treasurer: Mr. H Schoeman Organiser: Rev. MO Motshegoa Additional Members: Mr. W Motsatsi, Ms C van der Westhuizen, Mr. W Mahamba, Rev. W Molefe
Admin
26 Apr, 1998
UDM on opposition alliances
Statement by Co-leaders of the UDM With possible alliance pacts between the opposition parties strongly back on the political agenda, certain basic principles regarding alliances need to be revisited. The mere forming of an alliance between the opposition parties (DP/NP, NP/IFP, DP/IFP or DP/NP/IFP) will not change the political landscape of the country. Such an alliance, whether it is a “loose alliance” (each party with its own structure and lists) or a more “formal alliance” (one manifesto and candidate list), it will not attract one single vote from the ANC constituency. All that it would mean is that one will pool all the current votes of opposition parties. That will not erode the power base of the ANC. The UDM indicated even before its launch that it believes that South Africans are looking for something new, that all the current political parties as they are represented in parliament reflects in one way or the other apartheid. The UDM in working on grassroots level experience a need by South Africans to break loose from the current racial divides of South African politics. South Africans are looking towards the future, they need a vision, and they want to build this country. What is even more evident is the fact that they want to do this together, as one nation. A recent Markinor survey indicated that the UDM is growing and that it is growing at the expense of the ANC majority. The UDM truly reflects the South African nation, 72% black, 16% white, 8% coloured and 4% Indian. Analysts indicated that they believe the only real threat to the ANC is the UDM. The UDM will gain nothing by getting into bed with any of the current opposition political parties. The UDM, in national interest, would however invite opposition parties who are serious about the realignment of South African politics to disband themselves. This should take place at an opposition party convention where new leadership should be elected for the new formation. This should be done with all parties taking on an equal role and placing national interest first and personal or party agendas should not determine the agenda of such a convention. The UDM, though the fastest growing party in the country, in the interest of the real realignment of South African politics, would be willing to be part of such an exercise. The UDM remains firm in its belief that that would be the only, lasting way to truly redefine South African politics.
Admin
26 Apr, 1998
Kriel se uitlatings getuig van ongemak
Statement by Co-leader of the UDM Die uitlatings van Hernus Kriel dat die Nasionale Party deur “kinders” verteenwoordig is gedurende die onderhandeling, is nie veel meer as ‘n bittere laaste salvo nie. Die feit is dat Hernus Kriel te alle tye deel van die onderhandelings was net soos alle ander kabinetslede. Hy het ‘n gesamentlike verantwoordlikheid gehad oor dit wat onderhandel is, nie net wat sy eie portefulje betref nie, maar ook wat betref die portefeuljes van ander kabinetsministers. Wie die “kinders” is waarna Hernus verwys is ook onduidelik. Die Nasionale Party is deurgaans verteenwoordig deur senior kabinetslede soos Dawie de Villiers, Leon Wessels en myself. Ons is staatkundig bygestaan deur Fanie van der Merwe en Neil Barnard, tans Direkteur-Generaal van die Wes-Kaap en deur Hernus Kriel in sy huidige posisie aangestel. Die onderhandelingspan het op ‘n weeklikse basis aan die kabinet terug gerapporteer. Nie een enkele besluit is deur die onderhandelingspan geneem voor die kabinet daartoe ingestem het nie. Hernus Kriel het nooit, hetsy in die kabinet of in Nasionale Party strukture, enige besware geopper nie. Dit opsigself diskwalifiseer hom om nou sulke aantygings te maak. Die inhoud van die Grondwet spreek ook tot die teendeel. Dit blyk dat mense soos Kriel en andere wat hierdie besware het, nog nooit die Grondwet behoorlik gelees het nie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Grondwet word deur grondwetlike deskundiges regoor die wêreld bestempel as ‘n model grondwet. Ek is trots om deel daarvan te kon wees. Daar moet egter wel onderskei word tussen die bepalings in die Grondwet en die wyse waarop die land regeer word. Die feit dat die ANC ‘n swak regering is en die NP ‘n onvermoë het om ‘n behoorlike opposisie te wees het niks te doen met die bepalings in die grondwet nie. Die oplossing daarvoor, en dit is waarmee ek my steeds besig hou, terwyl Kriel en andere die politieke toneel en hul eie sinkende skip verlaat, is om ‘n alternatief vir die ANC regering te skep. Die vordering wat die UDM maak, en die aanklank wat die UDM onder alle Suid Afrikaners het, bevestig dat Suid Afrikaners ‘n diepliggende behoefte het na ‘n nuwe alternatief wat weer die hoop in die harte kan aanvuur.
Admin
26 Apr, 1998
27 April 1994 – four years later and still no liberation
Statement by the Co-leaders of the UDM In the run-up to the 1994 elections and shortly thereafter South Africa was in a state of euphoria. Everybody was expecting a political heaven. That also set the table for the years to follow. The main expectations were that the fate of the majority would improve. Politics suddenly had a new set of rules and it was expected of existing parties to be part of a new type of politics. Soon it became clear that the promises made were unrealistic. That government could not comply with the growing spiral of expectations. On paper we have a highly acclaimed constitution, in theory South Africa was far on the road of establishing a democratic basis. However, the spirit was not adhered to. We experienced continuous racism from all sides, polarisation is growing and intimidation is a reality of our political operations. There was a clear inability to adapt the politics to fit the requirements. If we look back on the past four years we see that political parties with long histories and from a specific order were so set in their ways that leaders and supporters new only about one way to play the game. It is especially the NP and the ANC that is struggling with this. The NP inspite of having new and young leadership remains part of the old Apartheid order politics. They still think, look and act as apartheid politicians. They still think in racial terms. Their policy remains captured in the protection of a small minority’s exclusive rights. This they do at the cost of issues of national interest. The ANC is still struggling to transform from liberation movement to government. There is internal conflict on policy issues such as GEAR. This results that the ANC’s energy is focused internally and that issues of National interest suffer as a result of that. The DP remains nothing more than a small dog, barking non stop, seemingly having all the answers but totally unable to grasp the realities of South African and African politics. If one looks back on the political scene over the past four years, the one thing that does stand out is the inability of political parties to manage change and the realities that came with it. Some even took conscious decisions not to adapt to the ever-changing environment. This is where the UDM enters the scene. We are seeking for a solution, seeking to manage these changes in the interest of all in South Africa. The UDM provides hope for practical, innovative solutions. South Africans are looking for a party that can face up with reality and that is not blinded by the old set of rules. The UDM believes that politics is like an ecological system: each organism is interdependent from the next for its survival. The time for separate issues for separate interests are over, the time for racial politics have long past. Polarisation belongs to the years of apartheid. The next year that lies ahead the political temperature will rise as we move closer to the elections. We observe that in the desperate seeking of alliances amongst old order political parties. The NP, DP and the IFP realise that their survival depends on so called cooperation. The reality is that that would mean very little more than 15% support for the opposition, which would make no dent in the ANC’s force of power. Democracy is about more than just opposing the ANC – it is about bringing down the support of the ANC. The National Party and its possible alliance partners can not mobilize support away from the ANC. The only way to make sure that democracy in the country survives in South Africa is to systematically bring down the power control of the ANC. Providing the average person with a workable and creditable alternative must achieve that. This is where the UDM will play its role. Market research and the ANC’s own agenda in dealing with the UDM confirms that. The circumstances under which politics will be practiced the next 12 months will be very difficult. Old order political parties must defend their 1994 acquired positions. They will fall back on intimidation and “fear politics. The UDM is committed to democratic politics and we will guard jealously over the rights of all South Africans to freely and without fear make their political choices.
Admin
24 Apr, 1998
Sixty ANC members arrested and charged after intimidation of UDM members
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The ANC branch in Klipplaat, Eastern Cape, on 23 April 1998 actively intimidated UDM members and supporters. Under the leadership of Mr. Hans Human, the ANC informed UDM supporters that their houses would be taken from them since it was “provided” by the ANC. Residents were further told that only those who will vote for the ANC will have food in their houses. UDM supporters requested permission for a protest march against the mismanagement by the ANC local council. Permission was granted and in reaction, the ANC occupied the local police station. The UDM wants to call on the ANC to distance themselves from these types of actions by their supporters and officials. Disciplinary actions should be taken against those involved. The UDM believes that incidents of intimidation hold no good for the 1999 elections. It is just not good enough that the ANC talk reconciliation, wish for loyal opposition, but does not allow the most basic freedom of choice by the electorate. The UDM will not tolerate acts of intimidation against our supporters. We will highlight each and every incident. We will record and report such incidents. Democracy is founded on the very basic right of choice.
Admin
23 Apr, 1998
First provincial congress for the UDM
Statement by UDM Press Secretary Exactly four years after South Africa’s first free democratic elections South Africa’s youngest political party will hold its first provincial congress. The UDM North West will hold the first UDM Provincial Congress. Leadership for the province will be elected during the Congress. The constitution and policy of the UDM will form part of the agenda. The Co-Leaders of the UDM, Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer, will address the congress. Date: 27 April 1998 Venue: North West Portuguese Community Hall Klerksdorp Brady Avenue, Palmietfontein Off turn Time: 09:00 – 16:15; A media conference will be held after the conclusion of the Congress at 16:30
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